John Key resigns: The leader goes out on top, leaves on his own terms
Updated
For the past eight years John Key has so dominated New Zealand politics it seemed his rule as Prime Minister had no use-by date.
But of course, as every political leader should know, all have one, but few recognise the signs it is time to go.
In Mr Key's case, there were no backbench rumblings or ministerial plots waiting for an excuse to excise the Prime Minister.
Instead, here is a man who has decided enough is enough. After all those years at the top he could not honestly face another term.
Not because his popularity was flagging, because it was not. Not because the economy is failing, because it is not.
And not because the heavy burden of borrowings threatened his Government, because unlike near neighbours, New Zealand's economy is in surplus.
Put simply, Mr Key wanted to go out on top and leave on his own terms.
His popularity is easy to understand. The stewardship of the economy has been remarkably successful given he assumed office as the GFC gathered dark momentum.
And again, when tested by the seismic shifts that devastated Christchurch, instead of heading into a slump, the Prime Minister and his Government kept the economy on track and in the black.
Add to this a gregarious personality, and there is little not to like about the man who is seen as embodying New Zealand's "can do" spirit at a time many world leaders were struggling with their economies and personal ratings.
It has not all been easy.
As he said himself: "I have taken the knife to some other people and now I'm taking the knife to myself to allow others to come through and have those opportunities, and that's a healthy thing."
Hardly a wound at all when its self-inflicted.
Just cutting the ties that have bound him to his nation for eight years at a time and place of his choosing.
No Australian prime minister has achieved that since Robert Menzies 40 years ago.
Topics: government-and-politics, world-politics, new-zealand
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